 "Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
-- Melody Beattie --
Gold star widow and Executive Director of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation Jennie Taylor
I'll have more to share next week, but for now, I wanted to share some photos from our time learning at the National League of Cities' City Summit in Tampa Bay, this week, where I was joined by our city council!
Councilmember Tracy Taylor, Renton Gov’t Affairs Mgr Eric Perry, Councilmembers Clinton Taylor, Hanan Amer, me, and Cheryl Rakes
Each National League of Cities conference is so rich in learning and networking opportunities, and each time, I'm reminded how valuable it is to remain a lifelong learner and to continue pushing and connecting with electeds across the nation and state to share fresh ideas and solutions.
Happy 100th anniversary, National League of Cities!
Thank you Auburn City Council for joining me! I can't wait to return.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders and the mascots for the Tampa Bay Rays, Buccaneers, Lightning and Rowdies opening the general session on Thursday
 The weather couldn't have been more perfect on Saturday as hundreds of you descended upon downtown Auburn to watch our annual Veterans Parade and Observance!
Thank you everyone who came out to celebrate and honor our veterans -- I don't recall seeing the parade route filled with so many people in quite some time! This event is so special to our community and each year I'm humbled by the support and honor our community gives to our incredible veterans.
To the thousands of veterans and active duty service members in Auburn and beyond, thank you for serving. This holiday weekend was for you!
 I'd also like to honor and congratulate this year's parade winners. A panel of four judges took on the complex task of deciding the winners out of the 160+ entries. Entries included military units, ROTC groups, Veteran Service Organizations, and numerous bands. There are six award categories, with the most prestigious award being the General’s Award – Best in parade. This year’s winners are as follows:
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General’s Award – Best in Parade: Gold Star Families of Washington State
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Admiral’s Award – Best Military Entry: Graham-Kapowsin High School Army Junior ROTC
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Memorial Award to Harold Page/Best Veteran Service Organization Entry: Paralyzed Veterans of America - Northwest Chapter
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Colonel’s Award – Best Motorized Entry: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
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Veteran’s Award – Best Non-Motorized Entry: Back Country Horseman of Washington State
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Mayor’s Award – Best Musical or Drill Entry: Ballard High School Marching Band
 Congratulations! The parade planning for next year begins now!
 Be the first to see our new White River Valley Museum exhibit: A Very Dickens Christmas and enjoy the Festival of Trees: Once Upon a Time.
Stroll through a fairytale forest of trees decorated by local organizations and businesses. It's a holiday wonderland! Don't forget to vote for your favorite tree!
What did Scrooge see on Christmas eve? Visit scenes from A Christmas Carol interpreted with costumes and artifacts from the Museum’s collection accompanied by recorded excerpts from the book.
And the most delicious part? Home baked goodies from museum staff and volunteers will be for sale. Baked goods will be packaged ready to go into your freezer to pull out for Thanksgiving dinner or any unexpected company during the holiday season.
Proceeds support free and reduced cost museum field trips and programs!
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Wednesday, Nov. 20
2:30 - 7:30 p.m.
White River Valley Museum | 918 H St SE
Let us know you're coming!
 If the near-constant rain is any indication, yes, winter has arrived! Which means it's a great opportunity to remind everyone about the local resources to help weather the season safely and stay connected.
Have you signed up for Auburn’s emergency alert system? Using ALERT King County, this system helps keep you informed about any significant weather or safety concerns affecting our area. You can also keep up with timely updates from our Emergency Management team by following them on Facebook.
The National Weather Service Seattle is also a great resource for weather advisories and warnings. They have great tools on their website,on Facebook, and Twitter/X.
We also post snow and ice plow routes and information on our website.
 Auburn's warming center at Sundown Overnight Shelter (2806 Auburn Way N.) is available when temperatures drop below freezing. The shelter is already open, and opens as a warming shelter when nighttime lows are 32°F or below for consecutive nights, below 30°F for one night, or when other factors create a need.
For the past few years, the warming center provided shelter on over 20 cold nights.
For those who need to be on the roads, remember: drive slowly, keep headlights on, allow for extra stopping distance, and leave early to give yourself plenty of time. And, if a major snowstorm hits, please consider staying off the roads if you can!
(Click photo to watch video)
If you stop by our police headquarters you may find an officer or two with a virtual reality headset strapped to their hands. But don't worry! They aren't playing video games -- in fact, they're training in VR.
Using Axon's VR headsets, our officers are able to prepare for multiple real-world scenarios safely and cost effectively without loads of equipment and human actors.
But don't take it from me -- let Commander Cristian Adams explain it in the video below!
(Click photo to watch video)
Have you ever heard of a library ... for tools? We’ve got one right here in Auburn at The Outlet Collection Seattle! If you need a hedge trimmer, chainsaw, lawnmower, a sewing machine, air fryer, ice cream maker, or just a hammer, the South King Tool Library has it all!
They also hold events, quarterly repair session, and everything in-between -- just ask our multimedia team, who visited the library this past week to record a video (link below) and had Executive Director Amanda Miller on the Auburn on Main podcast, which is set to release this Wednesday.
Visit their website to learn more!
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